Carrier for containers

ABSTRACT

A carrier for bottles or the like made from a single blank of paperboard by cutting, creasing, folding and gluing. The carrier has an open-top structure made of base, side and end walls and a central upstanding handle extending between the end walls and connected to the side walls by spaced apart straps. The handle is a sandwich structure of parts juxtaposed and adhered together and made up of main outer panels integrally connected at one end to spine-forming panels integral with and extending from the middle of the end walls and adhered at the other end to the free ends of similar spine-forming panels integral with the end walls. The handle is reinforced by a reinforcing flap integrally connected to one of the handle panels and inturned and sandwiched between the respective handle panels. A fold-in flap is integrally connected to the ends of each handle panel opposite the integrally connected spine-forming flap and inturned into juxtaposition therebetween. Each fold-in flap is desirably provided with a window reducing the thickness of the sandwich structure at that zone and allowing access for the end of a spine-forming flap through the windows to an adhesive connection with the underlying main handle panel. The manufacture of the carrier is completed &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;in the flat&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; and it is set-up by pulling out the sides and pushing up the base into a locking structure.

United States Patent 1 Hughes et al.

[ 1 CARRIER FOR CONTAINERS [75] Inventors: Robert G. Hughes, Rexdale,On-

tan'o; Lloyd B. Ruetz, Cooksville, Ontario, both of Canada [73]Assignee: Continental Can Company of Canada Limited [22] Filed: Aug. 17,1970 [21] Appl. No.: 64,268

[52] U.S. Cl ..220/113, 229/52 BC, 229/D1G. 9 [51] Int. Cl. ..B65d 5/48[58] Field of Search ..220/1 13, 114, 115; 229/52 BC, 229/28 BC, DIG. 9

Primary Examiner-Leonard Summer Assistant Examiner-Stephen MarcusAttorneyAlan Swabey [4 1 Mar. 27, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A carrier forbottles or the like made from'a single blank of paperboard by cutting,creasing, folding and gluing. The carrier has an open-top structure madeof base, side and end walls and a central upstanding handle extendingbetween the end walls and connected to the side walls by spaced apartstraps. The handle is a sandwich structure of parts juxtaposed andadhered together and made up of main outer panels integrally connectedat one end to spine-forming panels integral with and extending from themiddle of the end walls and adhered at the other end to the free ends ofsimilar spine-forming panels integral with the end walls. The handle isreinforced by a reinforcing flap integrally connected to one of thehandle panels and inturned and sandwiched between the respective handlepanels. A fold-in flap is integrally connected to the ends of eachhandle panel opposite the integrally connected spine-forming flap andinturned into juxtaposition therebetween. Each fold-in flap is desirablyprovided with a window reducing the thickness of the sandwich structureat that zone and allowing access for the end of a spine-forming flapthrough the windows to an adhesive connection with the underlying mainhandle panel. The manufacture of the carrier is completed in the flatand it is set-up by pulling out the sides and pushing up the base into alocking structure.

23 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATEHTFUHARZYIEYS 3,722,737

SHEET 10F 3 r 6/ F 6. y

gal mvmvrons Robert G. HUGHES Lloyd B. RUETZ ATTORNEY PATENTi-inmamzsSHEET 2 UF 3 INVENTORS Robert G. HUGHES Lloyd B. RUETZ .4 TTORNEY fPATEHIEUMARNIJH 3,722,737

sum 3 OF 3 i FIG. 3

FIG. 5 INVENT ORS Robert G. HUGHES Lloyd Bu RUETZ @ujlw CARRIER FORCONTAINERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention Thisinvention relates to a carrier for bottles or the like of a type madefrom a single blank of foldable sheet material and to the blank itself.

More specifically, this type of carrier is a one-piece structureincluding a body made up of spaced-apart side walls, end walls and abottom or base. Each end wall is made up of a pair of panels oneextending from each side wall and joined at the center line of thecarrier by a spine formed from inturned integral flaps. A handle isconnected to the body by the ends of the spines and a pair of connectingstraps spaced from the end walls and from each other and extendingbetween the handle and side walls to define bottle-receivingcompartments. The handle is a multi-ply panel above the body between theside walls and connected to the body by the ends of the spines and thestraps.

The carrier as manufactured from a single blank of sheet material cutand creased to provide the various parts is progressively folded andglued so that the carrier as manufactured is in flat knocked-downcondition suitable for shipping. The carrier is set up into carryingposition merely by pulling out the side walls and pushing up the basebetween the walls to engage a catch structure on the spines which locksthe carrier in set-up position.

2. Description of the Prior Art This type of carrier is in wide use andis generally satisfactory both in manufacture and use. However, it doeshave a weakness in the handle structure, making it desirable to useheavier sheet stock than might otherwise be needed as a safety factoragainst rupturing at the handle during use. It is an aim of the presentinvention to provide an improved handle construction which does not havethis inherent weakness, making it possible to make the carrier from alighter caliber sheet material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, the multi-plyhandle is improved by one or more of the features, and preferably acombination of the several features, described as follows. One featureis a special reinforcing flap integrally connected to one of thehandle-forming panels and infolded between these panels in a sandwichstructure, which also includes at one end of the carrier, the tops ofthe spine-forming panels, which are integrally connected to the handlepanels and infolded between them and adhered to them and to preferablythe end of the special reinforcing flap. At the other end, the sandwichstructure incorporates the free upper ends of the spine-forming flapsand a pair of infolded connecting flaps. Another feature is to provideone or both infolded connecting flaps with a cut-out part or window,enabling the overlying end of the adjacent spine-forming flap to beadhered through the window to the underlying exposed area of the mainhandle panel. So, in the preferred construction, there is at one end ofthe handle structure, a sandwich of the main handle panels, theintegrally connected spine-forming panels and the end of the reinforcingflap, all adhesively connected together. At the other end of the handlethere is a sandwich structure made up of the main handie panel, thespine-forming flaps, the reinforcing flap, and the inturned connectingflaps. The cut-out parts or windows of the connecting flaps, wherepresent, reduce the thickness by two plies at that position making wayfor the thickness of the spine-forming flaps and the special reinforcingflap, without undue bulking.

The blank for forming the carrier is a flat piece of foldable sheetmaterial cut and died to provide the shape of the parts and the creasesbetween them defining the various panels, flaps and straps of thefinished carrier, which fall into place and are appropriately adheredtogether in certain areas, as the blank is progressively foldedaccording to the scheme of the invention.

This will be apparent from the detailed description to follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention has generally beendescribed and it will now be referred to in more detail by reference tothe accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment and,in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the reverse side (unfinished side of the board)of a paperboard blank cut and died with creases to form the variousparts of a preferred form of carrier, showing part of an interlockedadjoining blank;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the blank after preliminary folding operationsshowing a subsequent folding operation (of the handle-reinforcing flap)in dash lines;

FIG. 3 is a view of the carrier formed from the blank of the previousfigures in flat (knocked-down or shipping) condition, after assemblyfrom the blank and before being erected to carrying condition;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the finished carrier in set-upposition;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-section along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4showing the interlock between the base panels and the spine of thecarrier;

FIG. 6 is a. greatly enlarged fragmentary cross-section along the line6-6 of FIG. 3, showing the sandwich structure of the handle; and

FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged cross-section along the line 7-7 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As a basis for understandingthe details of the preferred form of the invention illustrated, therewill first be described a blank as shown in FIG. 1, which, by cuttingfrom a sheet of paperboard and creasing includes the various panels,flaps and straps making up the structure of the finished carrier.

Generally speaking, the blank A, of which the reverse or unfinished sideof the paperboard is shown, is made up of a base section, indicatedgenerally by B, flanked on one side by a body section C, and on theother by a similar body section Cl. Creases 21, 121, respectively,intervene the base and body sections. To each body section C, C1 isattached a handle section D, D1. Connecting structure lies between eachhandle section D, D1 and the adjoining body section C, C1.

The base section B is made up of relatively narrow base panels 15 andjoined at a median line of the blank by a crease 17.

An understanding of the structure of the similar body section C, C1 atrespective sides of the base section B will be clear from the followingdescription of one of these sections C. Similar numbers (tens anddigits) have for this reason been given to parts at the other side ofthe base panel section B except that the numbers on the other side Clhave been raised by 100. The same applies to the handle sections D, D1.

The body section C has a side panel 19 connected through the crease 21to the bottom panel 15. End panels 23 and 25 are connected to therespective ends of the side panels 19 through creases 27 and 29respectively. The end panels 23 and 25 are provided with flaps 31 and 33hingedly connected through creases 35 and 37, respectively, eachprovided with spaced apart cuts to facilitate folding. The inner end ofthe flap 31 is provided with a catch structure including a notch 31a.Likewise, inner end of the flap 33 is provided with a catch structureincluding a notch 33a. The particular shape of the end flaps and theirfunction will be discussed later.

The structure of both the handle sections D, D1 will be clear from thefollowing description of the section D. Connected partly to the sidepanel 19, and partly to the end panel 25 is a main handle-forming panel39. The panel 39 is connected to the panel 19 by a strap 41 separatedfrom the panel 19 by a cut 43 and hinged to a rectangular projectingpart or post 44 of the panel 19 by a crease 45. The panel 39 isseparated from the strap 41 by a cut 47 interrupted by a small temporarybridge 41a, serving to hold the parts together during assembly andbefore being broken, when the carrier is set up. The panel 39 is hingedto the strap 41 by a crease 49 parallel to the crease 4S, and lined upwith the crease 29. The side panel 25 is separated from the panel 39 bya cut 43a forming an extension of the cut 43 and which extends outwardlybriefly from the panel 19 then diagonally away from this panel to end atthe crease 37. The panel 39 is hinged to the flap 33 by a continuationof the crease 37.

At the opposite end, the panel 39 is connected to a fold-over flap 53whose shape is of special importance in the structure of the finishedcarrier. The flap 53 is made up of a relatively narrow strip 530extending endwise from a crease 58 joining it to the panel 39 theninwardly of the blank towards the panel 19 in a narrow strip 53b to meeta wider foot part 530 connected to the strap 55 by crease 57 lined upwith the crease 27. A cut 60 separates the foot 530 from the strap 55.The strap 55 in turn is connected to the extension 44 of the panel 19 bya crease 59 lined up with the crease 58. For purposes to be described,the flap 53 has a cut-out part or window 53d framed by the parts 53a,53b, 53c and the edge of the panel 39 and strap 55.

The panel 39 is provided with a hand-hole 'opening 63 into whichprojects a flap 64 articulated to the panel 39 by a crease 67. The panel39 is also provided with a narrow terminal flap 61 connected to it atthe crease 62.

At the other side of the blank, the structures of the body and handlesections C1, D1 are generally similar (with an exception to bedescribed) and any part may be readily identified by adding 100 to thenumber identifying the similar part of the section C or D, as the casemay be.

The exception is in the difference between the terminal flap 161 whichis a special handle-reinforcing flap and the terminal flap 61. The flap161 extends from an edge lined up with the crease 137 and terminates atthe other side short of the end of the panel 139. The flap 161 is of aneccentric arch shape having a leg 161a joined by a crease 162 to thepanel 139 and a longer opposed leg 161b connected to the leg 161a by amargin-adjoining part 161a. The legs 161a and 1615 are spaced apart by acut-out part 161d. Looking clockwise, the flap 161 is bound by thecrease 162, by the edge of the part 161a is inset slightly from thecrease 137, by the edge of the part 161b parallel to the crease 162 andby the end of the leg 161b which stops just short of a line parallel tothe crease 158 and the end of the leg 161a which endsjust inside a lineparallel to the crease 145.

The end of another blank A1 is shown interlocking with the blank A toillustrate how respective blanks interlock when cut from a sheet.Similar parts of the blank A1 have been numbered with similar numbersbut raised by 200 as compared with the numbers on the blank A. Theshaded areas on the blanks are those on which glue is initially appliedfor the assembly of the blank into a carrier.

The panel 139 has a cut-out step 139a providing an inwardly stepped edge139b, of which the edge of the part 153a forms a continuation. This isto provide a material-saving interlock with the flap 261 of theadjoining blank Al, the end of whose leg 26112 is provided with a step261e. Likewise, the leg 161b has a step l61e.

The presence of the step 139a requires the window 153d to be smallerthan the window 53d at the other end of the carrier, so that the strip153a may remain at the same width as the strip 53a, thus not to reducethe length and strength of the connecting crease 158. The length of theflap 131 is also reduced, as compared with the flap 31, so that its edgel3lb falls within the window 153d when the carrier is assembled. Forsymmetry, the length of the flap 133 is also reduced to correspond withthat of the flap 131.

The windows 53d and 153d have been shown rectangular and the ends of theflaps 31 and 131 have been shown rectangular. The windows 53d and 153dcould be rounded, for example, circular or oval or the corners roundedoff and the ends of the flaps 31 and 131 could be rounded off ifdesired. However, the rectangular construction gives more gluing area.

When the blank is set up to form the carrier, the

operations are as follows, the main steps being identified on thedrawings and as follows by the letters V, W, X and Y. V. Glue is applied(in a first gluing operation) to the areas of the blank shown in FIG. 1and flaps 53 and 153 and straps 55 and 155 are folded inwards about thecreases 58 and 59, 158 and 159, respectively, and juxtaposed to theadjacent areas of the panels 39, 19 and 139, 119, respectively, to theposition shown in FIG. 2. The parts 53a, 53b and 53c contact and areadhered to a glue-covered area of the panel 39. Likewise the parts 153a,153b and 1530 contact and are adhered to a gluecovered part of the panel139. The cut-out parts or windows 53d, 153d, respectively, leave areasof the panel 39 and 139 uncovered and exposed.

W. The flaps 33 and 133 are folded inwards about the creases 37 and 137to the positions shown in FIG. 2. Simultaneously, the panels 23 and 123and their flaps 31, 131 are infolded to the position shown in FIG. 2, sothat they overlie areas of the panels 19, 119, the flaps 53, 153 and theexposed glue-carrying areas of the panels 39, 139 with the ends of theflaps 31, 131 being adhered to such exposed glue carrying areas of thepanels 39, 139 through the windows provided in the flaps 53, 153. Theflap 161 is folded inwards about the crease 162 to the position shown indash lines in FIG. 2 so that its glued area is juxtaposed and adheres tothe areas of the flap 133, panel 139, flap 153 and the end of the flap131 which is already glued to the exposed area of the flap 139.

X. Glue is then applied (in a second gluing operation) to the faces ofthe flaps 53, 31 and 33 and to the reverse side of flap 61 and exposedarea of panel 39, as shown in FIG. 2, the blank A folded inwards at itscenter line 17 so that its respective sides are juxtaposed to theposition shown in FIG. 3, except that the flap 61 remains in theposition shown in dotted lines awaiting a final infolding operation. Theglued face of the flap 33 is juxtaposed and adhered to the face of theflap 133 and to the end of the handle-reinforcing flap 161 where thelatter covers the flap 133. The glued face of the flap 31 is juxtaposedand adhered to the face of the flap 131 and to the end of the leg 161bwhere the latter overlaps the flap 131. The face of the flap 161 isjuxtaposed and adhered to exposed areas of the reverse of the panel 39,to the faces of the flaps 33 and 31 and to the face of the part 53c.

Y. Finally, the flap 61 is folded inwards over the top of the handlestructure formed by the previous juxtaposition of the flaps from therespective sides of the blank, the glued area of the reverse face of theflap 61 being adhered to the face of the panel 139, above the handleopening 63.

The handle parts from both ends of the blank have been collectedtogether and glued into a composite sandwich" structure while the flaps33, 133 and 31, 131 at opposite sides of the carrier respectively form aspine projecting inward from the respective ends of the carrier whilethe straps 41, 55 and 141, 155 extend between the handle structure andthe side walls respectively to provide compartments.

The carrier is assembled by machinery which automatically glues andfolds the blank A, as well understood in the art. The construction ofthe handle, employing the fold-in flaps 53, 153 with the windows 53d,153d reduces the bulk in such a way that gluing operations arefacilitated since there is not the bulking which could take placewithout the windows reducing the thickness at that particular part ofthe handle structure.

The carrier as manufactured is in folded condition, as shown in FIG. 3.It is set-up by drawing apart the side panels 19, 119 into the positionshown in FIG. 4. This extends the panels 19, 119 into spaced-apartparallel side walls as shown in FIG. 4 and also extends the straps 141,155 and 41, 55 at respective sides of the carrier, breaking thetemporary retaining bridges 41a, 141a. By this action, the base panels115, are also extended and drawn upwards below the side and end walls.By pushing these panels further upwards into the position shown in FIG.5, their respective ends are forced into the catch-notches 31a, 131a,33a, 1330 provided at the lower ends of the juxtaposed pairs of spineflaps 137, 37 and 123, 23, respectively, thus locking the carrier inset-up position.

Unusual strength is provided in the sandwich construction of the handleand its connection to the body of the carrier, without excessive buildup of plies which would interfere with machine assembly. This sandwichstructure is shown specially in the enlarged cross-sections of FIGS. 6and 7. The special reinforcing flap 161 contributes extra strength byproviding, with the panels 39, 139, a third ply in the main area of thehandle section around and particularly above the hand opening 63, 163.The cut-out parts 53d, 153d or windows in the fold-in connecting flaps53, 153 reduce the bulk of the sandwich structure by two plies in thisarea. This permits the addition of the ply added by the end of the leg161b. This leg 161b juts into the area of the windows 53d, 153d andforms a part of the handle construction which is connected to the bodyby adhesion to the ends of both spine-forming flaps 31, 131 in a fiveplystructure including the ends of the panels 39, 139. At the same time,the flap 161 combines with the panels 39, 139 and the terminal flap 61to provide a four-ply bridge across the top of the hand opening.

The preferred container includes, in the handle structure, thereinforcing flap 161, in combination with the fold-in flaps 53 and 153,with the special windows 5311 and 153d and the end of the leg l61boverlying the area of the windows. The flap 161 could be omitted and oneor both windows 53d, 153d still employed to reduce bulking and stillprovide an improvement over existing carriers. The windows 53d, 153dcould be omitted and the flap 161 employed to provide strength and stillprovide an improved carrier. Or, the end of the leg 1611: could beshortened so as not to overlie the window area and thus avoid an extraply over that area. However, the preferred structure includes all thefeatures since together they provide a special combination ofadvantages. The finishing flap 61, which is an old feature in containersof this type, could be omitted, specially with the added strengthprovided by reinforcing flap 161. However, the finishing flap 61 isdesirable not only for added strength but to give the carrier a finishedappearance.

Reference has been made to side wall or panels, end walls or panels andto top and bottom." It is understood that this is for the purpose ofidentifying the various parts. It could be that in certain structures,what might be called side walls would really be end walls and the wordtop or bottom" would not be appropriate. However, the sense of thesedefinitions in context is believed clear.

In the finished container, the margins of the parts adjacent the cuts,as for example, the cuts 43, 430, 143, 143a become the edges of thewalls and so on. These numbers are therefore used to identify theseedges. The handle flaps 64 are for the purpose, when spread out, ofgiving a wider base which will not cut into the fingers.

A certain variety of prior art cartons of the same general style ofcarrier not embodying the improvement of the present invention, usuallyemploy paperboard stock having a caliper of about 0.025 inch.Comparatively speaking, the present invention makes it feasible to usestock having a lesser caliper down to about 0.022 inch and even down to0.020 inch.

The specific form of the invention has been described as being made frompaperboard. It will be understood that there may be employed other sheetmaterial having the necessary qualities of stiffness and foldability andothers well understood by those working in this art.

It should also be mentioned that, if one or both windows 53d, 153d isomitted, there would have to be a change in the glue pattern. Forexample, looking at FIG. 1, for the window 53d, additional glue wouldhave to be applied on flap 31 of about the same area as the window 53dand lined up with the position that window would normally assume.Similar changes to the glue pattern would have to be made if the window153d were omitted, glue being applied to the flap 131 over an area tomatch with the window 153d and in a position which would register withthe position of the window 153d, were it present. Further, if the flap61 is omitted, naturally there would be no glue application in thatarea. Further, the flap 161 might be shortened at its end 161cso as toclear the turned in flap 133 and, in this event, the glue applicationwould be modified on the flap 161.

We claim:

1. A blank of foldable sheet material for making a carrier for bottlesor the like comprising,

a centrally located base,

at each side of the base a similar body structure having a side wallpanel and end wall panels, each provided with an integral spine-formingflap,

a handle structure and means connecting it to the body structure,

a pair of connecting straps forming part of said connecting means andextending between each side wall and the handle structure and beingmeans for defining compartments,

each handle section being made up of a main panel having a handleopening and directly integrally connected at one end to an end of one ofsaid spine-forming flaps by fold means for effecting said onespine-forming flaps to be infollded and juxtaposed thereto, and at theother end integrally connected to a fold-in flap by other fold means foreffecting said fold-in flap to be folded in and juxtaposed thereto,

each fold-in flap having a part extending inwards of the blank andhaving a direct integral connection with one of said straps,

the spine-forming flaps at the other side of the blank from said onespine-forming flaps having ends free and defining means for connectionwith said handle panel, and reinforcing flap integrally connected to theextreme outer margin of one handle panel and having fold means foreffecting the same to be folded in over said one handle panel to liebetween it and the other handle panel and to extend above beside andbelow the handle openings,

the reinforcing flap having means at one end for juxtapositioningrelative to the spine-forming flaps integrally connected to the handlepanels and means at the other end for juxtapositioning relative to thefree end of each spine-forming flap which in turn is positioned tooverlie one of the fold-in flaps.

2. A blank, as defined in claim 1, in which at least one of the fold-inflaps is provided with window means for leaving exposed an area of thehandle panel to which it is integrally connected when juxtaposedthereto.

3. A blank, as defined in claim 1, in which each foldin flap is providedwith window means for leaving exposed an area of the handle panel whenjuxtaposed thereto.

4. A blank, as defined in claim 1, having finishing flap means integralwith a main handle panel for folding over the top of the handlestructure and for adhering to the face of the opposite panel.

5. A blank of foldable sheet material for making a carrier for bottlesor the like, comprising,

a centrally located base,

at each side of the base a similar body structure, having a side wallpanel, and end wall panels,

a handle structure and means connecting it to the body structure,

a pair of connecting straps forming part of said connecting means andextending between each side wall and the handle structure and beingmeans for defining compartments,

each handle section being made up of a main panel having a handleopening and directly integrally connected at one end to a spine flap byfold means for effecting said spine flap to be infolded and juxtaposedthereto, and at the other end integrally connected to part of a fold-inflap by other fold means for effecting said foldin flap to be folded inan juxtaposed thereto, at least one of said fold-in flaps being providedwith window means for leaving exposed an area of the handle panel whenjuxtaposed thereto,

each fold-in flap having a part extending inwards of the blank andhaving a direct integral connection with one of said straps.

6. A blank, as defined in claim 5, in which both of the folded flaps areprovided with said window means.

7. A blank, as defined in claim 5, having a finishing flap integral witha main handle panel and adapted to be folded over the top of the handleand adhered to the face of the opposite panel.

8.A blank, as defined in claim 5, in which the fold-in flap is made upof a narrow strip hingedly connected to a side margin of the main handlepanel by said other fold means and extending outwardly therefrom to meeta strip extending parallel to the margin of the handle panel and spacedtherefrom which, in turn, is connected to a foot part extendingoutwardly and downwardly,

the straps and foot parts framing said window means and a major areathereof being adapted to be adhered to the handle panel, and the footpart having a part projecting beyond a lower margin of the main handlepanel for hinged connection with a connecting strap by said directintegral connection.

9. A blank of foldable sheet material for making a carrier for bottlesor the like comprising,

a centrally located base,

at each side of the base a similar body structure having a side wallpanel and end wall panels, each provided with an integral spine-formingflap,

a handle structure and means connecting it to the body structure,

a pair of connecting straps forming part of said connecting means andextending between each side wall and the handle structure and beingmeans for defining compartments,

each handle section being made up of a main panel having a handleopening and directly integrally connected at one end to an end of one ofsaid spine-forming flaps by fold means for effecting said onespine-forming flaps to be infolded and juxtaposed thereto, and at theother end integrally connected to a fold-in flap by other fold means foreffecting said fold-in flap to be folded in and juxtaposed thereto,

each fold-in flap having a part extending inwards of the blank andhaving a direct integral connection with one of said straps,

a spine-forming flaps at the other side of the blank 10. A carrier forbottles or the like made from a blank of flexible sheet material,comprising,

a body structure having a base, side walls, and end walls, and amulti-ply handle structure connected to the side and end walls.

said handle structure being connected to the body structure byjuxtaposed spine flaps extending inwardly from the center of each of theend walls and projected upwardly beyond them and forming a part of thehandle structure the spine flaps at one end of the container beingdirectly integrally connected to said handle structure and at the otherend the spine flaps having initially free ends adhesively connected tothe handle structure,

a pair of connecting straps spaced from each other and from the endwalls and extending between each side wall and the handle structure todefine compartments.

the handle structure being made up of main outer panels each directlyintegrally connected at one end to the spine flaps doubled thereunderand at the other end adhesively connected to the initially free ends ofthe spine flaps and to a fold-in connecting flap directly hingedlyconnected thereto and doubled thereunder,

and a reinforcing flap integral with one of said handle panels at theextreme outer margin thereof remote from said base and folded betweenthe handle panels and having a continuous structure extending along amajor length of the top of, beside and along a major length of thebottom of the handle opening, said continuous structure being adhered toareas of the respective main outer panel.

11. A carrier, as defined in claim 10, in which the reinforcing flap hasa part sandwiched between the spine-forming flaps at at least one end ofthe handle,

12. A carrier, as defined in claim 10, in which the reinforcing flap hasa part sandwiched between the spine-forming flaps at both ends of thecarrier.

13. A carrier, as defined in claim 10, in which the reinforcing flap hasa part overlying the fold-in flaps which are adhered at their othersurface to the reinforcing panel.

14, A carrier, as defined in claim 10, in which the reinforcing flap hasa portion which stops short of the spine-forming flaps at each end ofthe handle.

15. A carrier, as defined in claim 10, in which at least one fold-inflap has a cut-out part constituting a window, and the free end of onespine-forming flap extends through said window and is directly adheredto the exposed area of the main handle panel.

16. A carrier, as defined in claim 10, in which each fold-in flap has acut-out part constituting a window, and the free ends of thespine-forming flaps at that end of the handle extend through saidwindows and are adhered to the underlying exposed area of the respectivemain handle panels.

17. A carrier, as defined in claim 10, in which one of the main handlepanels is provided with a narrow finishing flap which is folded over thetop of the carrier and adhered to the exposed face of the opposite mainhandle panel.

18. A carrier for bottles or the like made from a blank of flexiblesheet material, comprising,

a body structure having side walls and end walls, and

a multi-ply handle structure connected to the side and end walls, saidhandle structure being connected to the body structure by juxtaposedspine flaps extending inwardly from the center of each of the end wallsand projected upwardly beyond them and forming a part of the handlestructure,

the spine flaps at one end of the container being directly integrallyconnected to said handle structure and at the other end the spine flapshaving initially free ends adhesively connected to the handle structure,

a pair of connecting straps spaced from each other and from the endwalls and extending between each side wall and the handle structure todefine compartments, handle structure being made up of main outer panelseach directly integrally connected at one end to the spine flaps doubledthereunder and at the other end adhesively connected to the initiallyfree ends of the spine flap and to a fold-in connecting flap directlyhingedly connected thereto and doubled thereunder,

at least one of said fold-in flaps having a cut-out part constituting awindow therein exposing an underlying area of the main handle panel,each fold-in flap having a part extending below the main panel to adirect integral connection with one of said straps, and onespine-forming flap having its initially free end extending through saidwindow and adhered directly to the exposed area of the main handlepanel.

19. A carrier, as defined in claim 18, in which each 5 flap is providedwith a window and the initially free end of the respective spine-formingflap extends through each window and directly adheres to the respectivemain handle panel.

20. A blank of foldable sheet material for making a carrier for bottlesor the like comprising,

a centrally located base,

at each side of the base a similar body structure, having a side wallpanel, and end wall panels,

a handle structure and means connecting it to the body structure,

a pair of connecting straps forming part of said connecting means andextending between each side wall and the handle structure and adapted todefine compartments,

each handle section being made up of a main panel having a handleopening and integrally connected at one end to a spine flap adapted tobe infolded and juxtaposed thereto, and at the other end integrallyconnected to part of a fold-in flap adapted to be folded in andjuxtaposed thereto, at least one of said fold-in flaps being providedwith a window adapted to leave exposed an area of the handle panel whenjuxtaposed thereto,

each fold-in flap having a part extending inwards of the blank from itspanel to an integral connection with one of said straps,

the fold-in flap being made up of a narrow strip hingedly connected to aside margin of the main handle panel and extending outwardly therefromto meet a strip extending parallel to the margin of the handle panel andspaced therefrom which in turn is connected to a foot part extendingoutwardly and downwardly,

the straps and foot parts framing said window and a major area thereofbeing adapted to be adhered to the handle panel, and the foot parthaving a part projecting beyond a lower margin of the main handle panelfor hinged connection with a connecting strap.

21. A blank of foldable sheet material for making a carrier for bottlesor the like, comprising,

a centrally located base,

at each side of the base a similar body structure having a side wallpanel and end wall panels, each provided with an integral spine-formingflap,

a handle structure and means connecting it to the body structure,

a pair of connecting straps forming part of said connecting means andextending between each side wall and the handle structure and adapted todefine compartments,

each handle section being made up of a main panel having a handleopening and integrally connected at one end to an end of one of saidspine-forming flaps adapted to be infolded and juxtaposed thereto, andat the other end integrally connected to a fold-in flap adapted to befolded in and juxtaposed thereto,

each fold-in flap having a part extending inwards of the blank from itspanel to an integral connection with one of said straps,

the spine-forming flaps at one side of the panel each having an integralconnection to a handle panel, the spine-forming flaps at the other sideof the blank having ends free for connection with said handle panel,

a reinforcing panel integrally connected to the outer margin of onehandle panel and adapted to be folded in over said one handle panel tolie between it and the other handle panel and to extend above beside andbelow the handle openings,

the fold-in flap being made up of a narrow strip hingedly connected to aside margin of the main handle panel and extending outwardly therefromto meet a strip extending parallel to the margin of the handle panel andspaced therefrom which, in turn, is connected to a foot part extendingoutwardly and downwardly,

the straps and foot parts framing a window and a major area thereofbeing adapted to be adhered to the handle panel, the foot part having apart projecting beyond a lower margin of the main handle panel forhinged connection with a connecting strap. 1

22. A blank assembly for forming two carriers for bottles and the like,said blank assembly comprising sheet material having arranged thereonand formed therefrom two identical blanks with like ends in opposingcontacting relation each of said blanks including panel means includingremotely disposed handle panels, one handle panel of each blank having areinforcing panel integrally connected to an outer margin thereof, andsaid reinforcing panels being disposed on said sheet material inoverlapping relation between said blanks whereby a minimum of said sheetmaterial is required.

23. The blank assembly of claim 22 wherein said reinforcing panels arealso disposed in interlocking relation.

l l l It i E UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE t 1 CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIONPatent No. 3 722 737 Dated March 27 1973 Inventor(s) ROBERT G. HUGHESand LLOYD B. RUETZ It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent atd that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Please read on the Abstract Page the following:

Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 14, 1970 Canada Serial No.072,157.

Signed and sealed this 1st day of January 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M'.FLETCHER,JR. RENE D. TEGTMEYER Attesting Officer ActingCommissioner of Patents 'QRM o-wso (10-69) uscoMM-pc 60316-5 69 U.S.GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE l1, O-QGQQSQ.

1. A blank of foldable sheet material for making a carrier for bottlesor the like comprising, a centrally located base, at each side of thebase a similar bodY structure having a side wall panel and end wallpanels, each provided with an integral spine-forming flap, a handlestructure and means connecting it to the body structure, a pair ofconnecting straps forming part of said connecting means and extendingbetween each side wall and the handle structure and being means fordefining compartments, each handle section being made up of a main panelhaving a handle opening and directly integrally connected at one end toan end of one of said spine-forming flaps by fold means for effectingsaid one spine-forming flaps to be infolded and juxtaposed thereto, andat the other end integrally connected to a fold-in flap by other foldmeans for effecting said foldin flap to be folded in and juxtaposedthereto, each fold-in flap having a part extending inwards of the blankand having a direct integral connection with one of said straps, thespine-forming flaps at the other side of the blank from said onespine-forming flaps having ends free and defining means for connectionwith said handle panel, and a reinforcing flap integrally connected tothe extreme outer margin of one handle panel and having fold means foreffecting the same to be folded in over said one handle panel to liebetween it and the other handle panel and to extend above beside andbelow the handle openings, the reinforcing flap having means at one endfor juxtapositioning relative to the spine-forming flaps integrallyconnected to the handle panels and means at the other end forjuxtapositioning relative to the free end of each spine-forming flapwhich in turn is positioned to overlie one of the fold-in flaps.
 2. Ablank, as defined in claim 1, in which at least one of the fold-in flapsis provided with window means for leaving exposed an area of the handlepanel to which it is integrally connected when juxtaposed thereto.
 3. Ablank, as defined in claim 1, in which each fold-in flap is providedwith window means for leaving exposed an area of the handle panel whenjuxtaposed thereto.
 4. A blank, as defined in claim 1, having finishingflap means integral with a main handle panel for folding over the top ofthe handle structure and for adhering to the face of the opposite panel.5. A blank of foldable sheet material for making a carrier for bottlesor the like, comprising, a centrally located base, at each side of thebase a similar body structure, having a side wall panel, and end wallpanels, a handle structure and means connecting it to the bodystructure, a pair of connecting straps forming part of said connectingmeans and extending between each side wall and the handle structure andbeing means for defining compartments, each handle section being made upof a main panel having a handle opening and directly integrallyconnected at one end to a spine flap by fold means for effecting saidspine flap to be infolded and juxtaposed thereto, and at the other endintegrally connected to part of a fold-in flap by other fold means foreffecting said fold-in flap to be folded in an juxtaposed thereto, atleast one of said fold-in flaps being provided with window means forleaving exposed an area of the handle panel when juxtaposed thereto,each fold-in flap having a part extending inwards of the blank andhaving a direct integral connection with one of said straps.
 6. A blank,as defined in claim 5, in which both of the folded flaps are providedwith said window means.
 7. A blank, as defined in claim 5, having afinishing flap integral with a main handle panel and adapted to befolded over the top of the handle and adhered to the face of theopposite panel.
 8. A blank, as defined in claim 5, in which the fold-inflap is made up of a narrow strip hingedly connected to a side margin ofthe main handle panel by said other fold means and extending outwardlytherefrom to meet a strip extending parallel to the margin of the handlepanel and spaced therefrom which, in turn, is connected to a foot parTextending outwardly and downwardly, the straps and foot parts framingsaid window means and a major area thereof being adapted to be adheredto the handle panel, and the foot part having a part projecting beyond alower margin of the main handle panel for hinged connection with aconnecting strap by said direct integral connection.
 9. A blank offoldable sheet material for making a carrier for bottles or the likecomprising, a centrally located base, at each side of the base a similarbody structure having a side wall panel and end wall panels, eachprovided with an integral spine-forming flap, a handle structure andmeans connecting it to the body structure, a pair of connecting strapsforming part of said connecting means and extending between each sidewall and the handle structure and being means for defining compartments,each handle section being made up of a main panel having a handleopening and directly integrally connected at one end to an end of one ofsaid spine-forming flaps by fold means for effecting said onespine-forming flaps to be infolded and juxtaposed thereto, and at theother end integrally connected to a fold-in flap by other fold means foreffecting said fold-in flap to be folded in and juxtaposed thereto, eachfold-in flap having a part extending inwards of the blank and having adirect integral connection with one of said straps, a spine-formingflaps at the other side of the blank from said one spine-forming flapshaving ends free and defining means for connection with said handlepanel, and a reinforcing flap integrally connected to the extreme outermargin of one handle panel remotest from said base and having fold meansfor effecting the same to be folded in over said one handle panel to liebetween it and the other handle panel and to extend above beside andbelow the handle openings.
 10. A carrier for bottles or the like madefrom a blank of flexible sheet material, comprising, a body structurehaving a base, side walls, and end walls, and a multi-ply handlestructure connected to the side and end walls. said handle structurebeing connected to the body structure by juxtaposed spine flapsextending inwardly from the center of each of the end walls andprojected upwardly beyond them and forming a part of the handlestructure the spine flaps at one end of the container being directlyintegrally connected to said handle structure and at the other end thespine flaps having initially free ends adhesively connected to thehandle structure, a pair of connecting straps spaced from each other andfrom the end walls and extending between each side wall and the handlestructure to define compartments. the handle structure being made up ofmain outer panels each directly integrally connected at one end to thespine flaps doubled thereunder and at the other end adhesively connectedto the initially free ends of the spine flaps and to a fold-inconnecting flap directly hingedly connected thereto and doubledthereunder, and a reinforcing flap integral with one of said handlepanels at the extreme outer margin thereof remote from said base andfolded between the handle panels and having a continuous structureextending along a major length of the top of, beside and along a majorlength of the bottom of the handle opening, said continuous structurebeing adhered to areas of the respective main outer panel.
 11. Acarrier, as defined in claim 10, in which the reinforcing flap has apart sandwiched between the spine-forming flaps at at least one end ofthe handle.
 12. A carrier, as defined in claim 10, in which thereinforcing flap has a part sandwiched between the spine-forming flapsat both ends of the carrier.
 13. A carrier, as defined in claim 10, inwhich the reinforcing flap has a part overlying the fold-in flaps whichare adhered at their other surface to the reinforcing panel.
 14. Acarrier, as defined in claim 10, in which the reinforcing flap has aportion wHich stops short of the spine-forming flaps at each end of thehandle.
 15. A carrier, as defined in claim 10, in which at least onefold-in flap has a cut-out part constituting a window, and the free endof one spine-forming flap extends through said window and is directlyadhered to the exposed area of the main handle panel.
 16. A carrier, asdefined in claim 10, in which each fold-in flap has a cut-out partconstituting a window, and the free ends of the spine-forming flaps atthat end of the handle extend through said windows and are adhered tothe underlying exposed area of the respective main handle panels.
 17. Acarrier, as defined in claim 10, in which one of the main handle panelsis provided with a narrow finishing flap which is folded over the top ofthe carrier and adhered to the exposed face of the opposite main handlepanel.
 18. A carrier for bottles or the like made from a blank offlexible sheet material, comprising, a body structure having side wallsand end walls, and a multi-ply handle structure connected to the sideand end walls, said handle structure being connected to the bodystructure by juxtaposed spine flaps extending inwardly from the centerof each of the end walls and projected upwardly beyond them and forminga part of the handle structure, the spine flaps at one end of thecontainer being directly integrally connected to said handle structureand at the other end the spine flaps having initially free endsadhesively connected to the handle structure, a pair of connectingstraps spaced from each other and from the end walls and extendingbetween each side wall and the handle structure to define compartments,a handle structure being made up of main outer panels each directlyintegrally connected at one end to the spine flaps doubled thereunderand at the other end adhesively connected to the initially free ends ofthe spine flap and to a fold-in connecting flap directly hingedlyconnected thereto and doubled thereunder, at least one of said fold-inflaps having a cut-out part constituting a window therein exposing anunderlying area of the main handle panel, each fold-in flap having apart extending below the main panel to a direct integral connection withone of said straps, and one spine-forming flap having its initially freeend extending through said window and adhered directly to the exposedarea of the main handle panel.
 19. A carrier, as defined in claim 18, inwhich each flap is provided with a window and the initially free end ofthe respective spine-forming flap extends through each window anddirectly adheres to the respective main handle panel.
 20. A blank offoldable sheet material for making a carrier for bottles or the likecomprising, a centrally located base, at each side of the base a similarbody structure, having a side wall panel, and end wall panels, a handlestructure and means connecting it to the body structure, a pair ofconnecting straps forming part of said connecting means and extendingbetween each side wall and the handle structure and adapted to definecompartments, each handle section being made up of a main panel having ahandle opening and integrally connected at one end to a spine flapadapted to be infolded and juxtaposed thereto, and at the other endintegrally connected to part of a fold-in flap adapted to be folded inand juxtaposed thereto, at least one of said fold-in flaps beingprovided with a window adapted to leave exposed an area of the handlepanel when juxtaposed thereto, each fold-in flap having a part extendinginwards of the blank from its panel to an integral connection with oneof said straps, the fold-in flap being made up of a narrow striphingedly connected to a side margin of the main handle panel andextending outwardly therefrom to meet a strip extending parallel to themargin of the handle panel and spaced therefrom which in turn isconnected to a foot part extending outwardly and downwardly, the strapsanD foot parts framing said window and a major area thereof beingadapted to be adhered to the handle panel, and the foot part having apart projecting beyond a lower margin of the main handle panel forhinged connection with a connecting strap.
 21. A blank of foldable sheetmaterial for making a carrier for bottles or the like, comprising, acentrally located base, at each side of the base a similar bodystructure having a side wall panel and end wall panels, each providedwith an integral spine-forming flap, a handle structure and meansconnecting it to the body structure, a pair of connecting straps formingpart of said connecting means and extending between each side wall andthe handle structure and adapted to define compartments, each handlesection being made up of a main panel having a handle opening andintegrally connected at one end to an end of one of said spine-formingflaps adapted to be infolded and juxtaposed thereto, and at the otherend integrally connected to a fold-in flap adapted to be folded in andjuxtaposed thereto, each fold-in flap having a part extending inwards ofthe blank from its panel to an integral connection with one of saidstraps, the spine-forming flaps at one side of the panel each having anintegral connection to a handle panel, the spine-forming flaps at theother side of the blank having ends free for connection with said handlepanel, a reinforcing panel integrally connected to the outer margin ofone handle panel and adapted to be folded in over said one handle panelto lie between it and the other handle panel and to extend above besideand below the handle openings, the fold-in flap being made up of anarrow strip hingedly connected to a side margin of the main handlepanel and extending outwardly therefrom to meet a strip extendingparallel to the margin of the handle panel and spaced therefrom which,in turn, is connected to a foot part extending outwardly and downwardly,the straps and foot parts framing a window and a major area thereofbeing adapted to be adhered to the handle panel, the foot part having apart projecting beyond a lower margin of the main handle panel forhinged connection with a connecting strap.
 22. A blank assembly forforming two carriers for bottles and the like, said blank assemblycomprising sheet material having arranged thereon and formed therefromtwo identical blanks with like ends in opposing contacting relation eachof said blanks including panel means including remotely disposed handlepanels, one handle panel of each blank having a reinforcing panelintegrally connected to an outer margin thereof, and said reinforcingpanels being disposed on said sheet material in overlapping relationbetween said blanks whereby a minimum of said sheet material isrequired.
 23. The blank assembly of claim 22 wherein said reinforcingpanels are also disposed in interlocking relation.